Low-Level Soldiers Took the Rap at Abu Ghraib, Perhaps as It Should Be
On the one hand, it would be a mistake to go along with the “half a dozen bad apples” theory of what happened in Abu Ghraib (er, I mean Camp Redemption).
Clearly the problem was not just caused by a small handful of people going savage, and the solution to the problem won’t be simply to isolate and denounce those people.
On the other hand, if we pursue this line of thought too recklessly, we can find ourselves propping up the “I was only following orders” excuse.
Brutal interrogation techniques by U.S. military personnel are being investigated in connection with the deaths of at least five Iraqi prisoners in war-zone detention camps, Pentagon documents obtained by The Denver Post show.
Another Iraqi military officer, records show, was asphyxiated after being gagged, his hands tied to the top of his cell door.
Another detainee died “while undergoing stress technique interrogation,” involving smothering and “chest compressions,” according to the documents.…
In , at a “classified interrogation facility” in Baghdad, an Iraqi detainee was found dead after being restrained in a chair for questioning.
“While in custody the detainee was subjected to both physical and psychological stress,” the report shows.
An autopsy determined that he died of a “hard, fast blow” to the head.
The investigation continues. No disciplinary action was noted.
On , an Iraqi died at Abu Ghraib during an interview by special forces and Navy SEAL soldiers.
“An autopsy revealed the cause of death was blunt force trauma as complicated by compromised respiration.”
The report notes that Navy investigators concluded Navy personnel did not commit a crime leading to the detainee’s death.
But the investigation, including by CIA officials, is still ongoing.
No disciplinary action was noted.
Those of you doing the DON Method may want to start adding a new column in your accounting.
I shudder to think what an audit of someone’s sales tax claim would look like.
